Leasing begins for apartments above new National Black Theatre in Harlem, studios from $3,145/month
All images courtesy of Ray
Here’s a chance to live above a legendary Harlem theater. Leasing kicked off on Tuesday for apartments at Ray Harlem, a new 21-story mixed-use development at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue that includes 222 units and a new home for the National Black Theatre, the longest continuously running Black theater in New York City. The gross rent for the apartments, available in June, starts at $3,145/month for studios.
National Black Theatre (NBT) was founded in 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer as a cultural hub for Black artists. NBT is one of the nation’s first revenue-generating Black arts complexes and one of the longest to be run by a woman of color.
NBT partnered with the real estate firms Ray and LMXD (an affiliate of L+M Development Partners) on a development project that provides the theater with a permanent home and adds mixed-income housing to East Harlem. The final project was the result of a rezoning to allow for a taller, mixed-use building.
Ray Harlem includes 17 stories of apartments atop 27,000 square feet of space for NBT. Designed by Frida Escobedo, who is also designing a new wing for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and new condo Bergen, and Handel Architects, Ray Harlem features a pink-ish-brick facade, a specific color chosen by Ray, in conversation with Sade Lythcott, the daughter of Teer and current CEO of the theater. As Vogue reported, the color is inspired by the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria.
Along with Escobedo and Handel Architects, Little Wing Lee’s Studio & Projects designed the building’s interior to optimize light and views of Manhattan. Apartments feature quartz countertops, blonde oak floors, and oversized windows. Plus, residents can enjoy perks like in-unit washer-dryers and Nest smart thermostats.
“Working alongside Frida Escobedo Studio, we designed a building that serves as both a functional living space and a cultural statement,” Deborah Moelis of Handel Architects said.
“The building’s form respects the neighborhood’s scale while introducing elements that maximize light, views, and community connection. Ray Harlem demonstrates how thoughtful design can create spaces that not only house residents but also inspire and connect them to the cultural heartbeat of their neighborhood.”
Amenities include a co-working lounge, a fitness center with a yoga studio, a library curated by Phaidon Press, terraces on the 21st and 5th floors, bike storage, and a “living room” on the ground floor that will be open to the public.
Last December, a lottery opened for 58 mixed-income apartments at Ray Harlem, priced from $834/month for studios to $3,643/month for two bedrooms.
Current market-rate availabilities start at $3,145/month for studios, $3,570/month for one-bedrooms, and $4,565/month for two-bedrooms.
“Ray Harlem represents a defining moment in our vision to seamlessly blend art, culture, and community living,” Suzanne Demisch, creative director at Ray, said.
“By partnering with the historic National Black Theatre and assembling an exceptional female-led design team, we’ve created more than just a building – we’ve crafted a cultural landmark that honors Harlem’s rich heritage while providing a contemporary home for its future. Each detail of this flagship project reflects our commitment to creating spaces where residents can experience art and culture as part of their everyday lives.”
Marvel designed the new home for the NBT, which includes a 250-seat “immersive technology” performance space, a 99-seat flexible theater, rehearsal rooms, offices, classrooms, and a set-building shop.
Work began at the building in 2022 and topped out in a year later. NBT plans to begin fitting out the interior of the theater in 2025; an inaugural season is planned for 2027.
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